Energy justice as a new communal project? Community energy systems and the energy access gap

Community Energy Systems (CESs), broadly understood as energy generation systems managed collectively (for example, small-hydro and wind community projects or locally managed micro-grids), offer numerous promises in terms of facilitating a transition to sustainable energy systems and increasing the resilience of the communities involved, and hence, advancing energy justice objectives. However, there are numerous uncertainties associated with CESs related to the heterogeneity of technological approaches used to provide energy, their development within specific material and regulatory contexts, and the constitution of communities as heterogeneous social assemblages shaped by specific socio-political and material relations. This chapter argues that an intersectionality perspective can help understand when and how CESs can advance energy justice, particularly in contexts where there is no access to electricity. In particular, CESs address epistemic injustices related to deficits in accessing and recognizing knowledge within current energy systems. This chapter argues that CESs are particularly well suited to address epistemic injustices by creating virtuous learning cycles whereby injustices in the distribution and recognition of knowledge can be addressed. However, achieving such outcomes depends on difficult governance challenges, including meaningfully involving communities and facilitating their leadership.